Iranians Voice Fear and Sadness After Trump’s Tehran Evacuation Warning
Following five days of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear infrastructure, former President Trump posted on Truth Social: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” The message intensified panic in a city already reeling from explosions, sirens, and escalating destruction. 1. Fear, Chaos & Panicked Exodus News outlets and eyewitnesses report massive traffic jams as families fled north toward Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. Many described trips that usually take 7–8 hours ballooning to 18–24 hours, highlighting terrifying gridlock. Residents spoke of a sudden onset of “a smell of death” in the air, with fleeing civilians carrying essentials amid shortages at gas stations and pharmacies. 2. Uncertainty and Emotional Toll Tehran’s heavy reliance on personal basements, subways, and shuttered schools for shelter—due to the lack of formal bomb shelters—has left many irate and fearful. Distrust in the government’s safety communication is growing. […]